They weren’t able to pull together and win the ultimate trophy in team sports, but tonight they took home a bunch of individual awards at the NHL Awards show in Las Vegas.

The Canucks, of course, lost the Stanley Cup Final in seven games to the Bruins. But tonight, center Ryan Kesler (Selke Trophy), general manager Mike Gillis (GM of the Year), goaltenders Robert Luongo and Cory Schneider (Jennings Trophy) and forward Daniel Sedin (Art Ross & Ted Lindsay Trophy) left The Palms casino with hardware one week after they left Rogers Arena emptyhanded.

Luongo, however, did not beat out Boston goaltender Tim Thomas for the Vezina, nor did Daniel Sedin top Corey Perry of Anaheim for the Hart or coach Alain Vigneault get more votes than winner Dan Bylsma of Pittsburgh for the Jack Adams.

As for the Norris, if you look at the voting, it was by far the closest race. All guys had essentially the same amount of first place votes. It was the clowns who voted Chara 4th that cost him a chance at the trophy

RD, you make some good points, but, in my opinion, the season doesn’t stop at the playoffs. I believe it’s time to include the efforts of those who compete in the Playoffs and Finals. Isn’t stepping up when it’s all on the line the true measure of excellence?

Bernard,
Remember, the winners were chosen while Lidstrom’s return was in doubt. The winners of best d-man, league MVP are hardly chosen as role models, but rather for superlative play. Was Lidstrom the best 35+ defenseman this season? By a longshot. Was he the best overall? I can think of at least three who were better than him this season.

Also, Remember who won the leadership award. That is more about setting a role model, so I suppose the NHL is ready to make Chara into one.

RD I agree, for regular season awards it would be tough for me to argue against almost all the winners, and I think Weber or Chara should have won it. I also am impressed with how Skinner won the Calder being a true rookie. Vancouver had the best regular season, they deserve most of the awards that go with it.

I wasn’t surprised at the Lidstrom Norris,but I think he was probably the least deserving of any winner. Not because he is a bad defenseman, but give his performance to any roster defenseman whose name is not Lidstrom and would they even be in the mix for the nomination?

And while I think post SCF there are some Bruins who would be deserving (I do think Chiarelli did great although at the time some of the trades left us scratching our heads), I am fine with all the voting being based on regular season performances.

Gotta say, I was surprise Lidstrom won Norris. A better argument can be made for both other finalists, and I’m kind of sad this turned into a career award for him. Both Chara and Weber are the same type of d-man and both had good seasons. That’s a legitimate debate, I obviously think Chara has the edge (Numbers on his side in a number of categories), but both players are close in most categories. I’m also surprised Chara won the category he did for leadership, but not Lidstrom. I felt like those two categories were reversed. If you really want to honor Lidstrom that was more the place. Chara is a great leader and was this whole season, but if you’re going to give a trophy to him and the other to Lidstrom, then you might as well do it the opposite of the executed order. Just weird to me.
Oh, and Lidstrom is a great defenseman, just not the BEST defenseman this year, he was a minus player on a defense that was almost entirely plus.

I really hope those trophies can make the kiddies in Vancouver stop crying (and rioting for that matter!)

Whoa there Fred. I think you’re right on a couple of these but you guys got the trophy that counts.
The Jennings is given to the team with the least goals against. Can’t dispute that one.
Julien? Coach of the year? Sure, after the cup was won but many people were also calling for his dismissal at different points this season.

Chiarelli? I agree. The Horton, perverly and Kelly pickup was good but the Kaberle rental was a bust. Still pretty good.

Chara? Webber had a pretty good season… kinda hard to flat out pick Chara…not to mention the bad press around the guy.

If the award voting was done after the Cup Finals Chiarelli, Julien, Chara, Thomas, and other Bruins would have needed a truck at The Palms to bring home every trophy that they truly deserved!!! Time for a change in the voting and the nominees so that the whole season is considered, especially when it counts the most!!! The job isn’t done until the Cup is won!!!